Dallas Cowboys defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku warms up before the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Cowboys' highest-rated defensive players in Week 6 highlight awful performance

Originally posted on Dallas Cowboys on SI
By Josh Sanchez | Last updated Oct 13, 2025 11:27 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys' defense remains a talking point after another miserable performance in Week 6 of the NFL season. Dallas ranks at the bottom of the league in nearly every defensive stat category.

Dallas' inability to record a stop in crucial situations has completely let down Dak Prescott and the offense.

Now that the dust has settled from the disappointing loss to the Carolina Panthers, the PFF grades have been handed out for the Cowboys' defense.

When it comes to the Cowboys' top-rated defensive players, the results paint a picture of how poor the outing was. Out of all of Dallas' defenders on Sunday, only one player -- rookie defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku -- recorded a score higher than a 65.

Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Ezeiruaku earned a 92.1 PFF score while playing 37 snaps. The second-highest rated player was cornerback DaRon Bland with a 64.6.

From there, things got really ugly with rookie linebacker Shemar James, who led the team in tackles, rounding out the top three at 60.2. James was the third and final player to score above a 50.

PFF grades are out, Dallas defense:

Donovan Ezeiruaku 92.1
DaRon Bland 64.6
Shemar James 60.2
Sam Williams 48.4
Trevon Diggs 47.8
Marist Liufau 46.0
Kenneth Murray 43.8
Donovan Wilson 42.2
Osa Odighizuwa 33.5

Yikes.
— Matt Owen (@ProfessorO_NFL) October 13, 2025

You can't win with a defense playing like that.

Hopefully the team can use the next week to make some major tweaks to the lineup or scheme to turn things around. Prescott is playing at an MVP level, so it's unfortunate to see the wins aren't coming.

The Cowboys' next opportunity to get back into the win column will be in Week 7 when the team hosts the division rival Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium.